High demand for education and childcare professionals

It’s not always easy finding the right career path. For many people the choices can be overwhelming. For others the choices that they’ve already made in their career may have led them to a dead end or to a profession for which they have no passion.

A career in teaching may be what you’ve always hankered for – and luckily, job prospects for teachers are good. The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) has reported that several roles in the teaching and childcare profession are in demand nationally. As a trained teaching professional, you will not only have a career which empowers and shapes the future of up-and-coming generations, but you will also have a stable career. By training in these areas you can give yourself great opportunities for employment while experiencing the joys of working with children and young people.

Here are the three most in-demand areas of the education profession.

Early childhood (pre-primary school) workers

National shortages in the early childhood sector have been prevalent for years and look set to continue. In January 2012, the Australian government changed its daycare staff:children under the age of three ratio requirement from 1:5 to 1:4, meaning that more staff per child would be required. Similarly, in preschool classes, the ratio of staff:children was dropped from 1:15 to 1:11. Qualification requirements have changed too, with Australian childcare workers required to have a minimum of a Certificate III qualification by 2014.

These changes spell good prospects for those with the right training and qualifications. If you are a patient and warm person who loves spending time with children, now is the time to train and begin your childcare career.

Secondary school teachers

According to DEEWR, high schools around the country have reported having difficulty recruiting teachers in some subjects, especially in maths and science. If you have a maths or science qualification, retraining in education could see you side-step into a new and fulfilling career in the education sector.

High schools have also found it hard to find enough teachers with the qualifications to teach Languages Other Than English (LOTE) subjects. Studying a language course [/courses/language/] could give you an advantage in the education sector in Australia, as well as open up a world of possibility in career opportunities abroad.

Special needs teachers

For a child with a disability to thrive in their schooling, they must have their education tailored by a special needs education professional. A special needs teacher is qualified to develop programs that help children with a disability to develop and optimise their learning.

Recruitment is challenging for schools looking to employ teachers with special needs qualifications and experience. The dearth of special needs teachers is particularly pronounced in some regional areas. This profession can be challenging, but infinitely rewarding for anyone who wants to make a real difference in the lives of students affected by disability.

How to get into teaching

To become a teacher you need a passion for young people and the right qualifications. You could study a general bachelor of education, or one specialising in a particular area, such as early childhood education or a specific subject area. You can also leverage your existing skills and experience in a particular industry, and segue into teaching with a postgraduate teaching qualification.

Alternatively, there are a number of non-degree qualifications, such as certificates and diplomas, that can get you into the classroom as an assistant, trainer or childcare worker.

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